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The June 16-17 deluge, which brought a big devastation in the hills of Uttarakhand, may not have a direct impact on the industrial units in the plains including Haridwar and Pantnagar.
But the process of further industrialization in the state has taken a hit especially at Sitarganj where a new industrial estate is being developed by the government-run State Infrastructure and Industrial Development Corporation of Uttarakhand Limited (SIDCUL).
During the past one month, not a single MoU had been signed for setting up new units at Sitarganj industrial estate in Kumaon region which is being officially christened as SIDCUL-Phase-II. But experts also blame the overall weak industrial scenario in the country. “The rupee has depreciated considerably and the economic scenario is now very weak due to which the industrialization process will suffer. And of course floods and monsoon rains never favour industrialization,” said Pankaj Gupta, president of the Industries Association of Uttarakhand (IAU).
In the month of April, the state government had started the process of allotting industrial plots at SIDCUL-II under the mega industrial policy where it is offering a slew of sops for new units that entail an investment of more than Rs 75 crore. Besides, the government is also offering 50% rebate on the stamp fees, 1% relief in central sales tax (CST) and others.
“We have received only one new proposal for Sitarganj. But yes, we not signed any MoU since last month,” said SIDCUL Managing Director Shailesh Bagoli. However, Bagoli said the floods have not created any harm at the industrial estates of Pantnagar and Haridwar.
Much before the fury of floods created havoc in the state, the SIDCUL had signed a couple of MOUs with companies like Coca Cola and DS Group. The Coke which is looking forward to set up a bottling plant at Chharba, near Dehradun, came under fire from environmentalists, who opposed the MoU on environmental grounds saying it will adversely affect the ground water as well as the greenery of the region.
After the deluge, suspense is still surrounding the new Coke project at Chharba where the beverage giant has promised to invest Rs 600 crore.
After the deluge, suspense is still surrounding the new Coke project at Chharba where the beverage giant has promised to invest Rs 600 crore.
